{"id":2145,"date":"2013-09-03T09:07:02","date_gmt":"2013-09-03T13:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/everydayspirituality\/?p=2145"},"modified":"2013-08-23T09:12:10","modified_gmt":"2013-08-23T13:12:10","slug":"zen-kitty-and-helping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/everydayspirituality\/2013\/09\/zen-kitty-and-helping.html","title":{"rendered":"Zen Kitty and helping"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"clean<\/a>The bigness of God\u2019s love and help can be found easier than we think.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s natural for us to help each other. For example, I always leave a dead mouse for Cheryl. At least three times a week. But, during the winter, when the snow is a foot high, I know Cheryl will leave food for me in a bowl. I also let Cheryl pet and hug me because it makes her happy.<\/p>\n

The Gospel Matthew reads, \u201cAsk, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!\u201d (Matt. 7, ESV)<\/p>\n

But remember, when helping, we need to be prepared ourselves otherwise we do more harm.<\/p>\n

Helpers need to be sensible. They need to provide what is necessary. God wouldn\u2019t give costume jewelry or an electric oven to someone who is starving and without electricity.<\/p>\n

Moreover, helpers can\u2019t come in with a boat load of unfulfilled promises.<\/p>\n

Helpers and healers need to supply useful, up-to-date equipment and instruction.<\/p>\n

Too often, helpers reverse the procedure. They assume the victim needs to complete a list of duties before receiving aid. Churches vainly tell people they must read something, go to church, or accept Jesus, before being helped.<\/p>\n

Instead, it is churches that need to satisfy requirements before being able to help others. They need to give up their rituals and prepare themselves with useful tools to help and heal others.<\/p>\n

We can let go of that which isn\u2019t helpful.<\/p>\n

God does know what we need. We can find and feel what we need.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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